What is Casting Couch? It’s a list of recent casting news. Recent as in, like, the last 24 hours recent. How’s that for service? Today we have news on what’s next for young actors like Craig Roberts and Chloe Moretz.
If you were to make a list of dream directors who pretty much every young actor hopes they’re some day going to get to work with, Woody Allen would definitely be near the top of most of them. And if you made a list of all the young actresses who Woody Allen would like to have in his upcoming movies, chances are Emma Stone is somewhere near the top of that one. It’s probably time these crazy kids finally get together then, so Deadline is reporting that Stone is negotiating to star in Allen’s next movie, which is reportedly going to shoot in the south of France. Stone’s charisma and comic timing, Allen’s wit—it sounds like a match made in heaven, doesn’t it?
Rosario Dawson
Speaking of gorgeous actresses who have also proven that they can be funny, Rosario Dawson’s name recently popped up in the casting sphere. Deadline is reporting that she’s currently negotiating to play the female lead in Chris Rock’s next starring vehicle—a comedy that he also wrote and will direct. For years now comedy connoisseurs have been calling Rock a genius due to everything he’s accomplished in the standup world, and now, after writing a movie in which Rosario Dawson is going to be playing his girlfriend, he’s finally proven his genius and removed all doubt. Great work, you sly dog, you.
Lee Pace
Who’s the undoubtedly powerful, sure-to-be cosmic villain that James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy will be battling in Marvel’s upcoming Phase Two space adventure? Nobody really knows, because the film’s plot details are being pretty closely guarded. The Wrap seems to think they know who’s going to be playing this mystery man, however, as they’re reporting that The Hobbit star, Lee Pace, is currently in final negotiations to join the film as its big bad. Originally Pace was up to play the film’s protagonist, Star Lord, but Gunn and his people must have decided that he doesn’t have the kind of face you can trust. Just look at that guy—he’s pure evil.
Aasif Mandvi
If you’re familiar with The Daily Show, then you probably knows who Aasif Mandvi is—he’s the funny brown guy who they trot out to rub our noses in the culture of hate we live in. Well, it turns out social satire isn’t Mandvi’s only talent, as it’s looking like he’s the sort of guy who can get cast in inspirational Disney movies as well. Deadline is reporting that he’s signed on to co-star in the House of Mouse’s upcoming Jon Hamm-starring, Craig Gillespie-directed baseball picture, Million Dollar Arm. Mandvi will reportedly be playing the Hamm character’s partner in his struggling sports agency. The two turn their lives around when they come up with a million dollar idea: creating a game show in India that auditions cricket players to become MLB pitchers.
Craig Roberts
Anyone who saw Richard Ayoade’s directorial debut, Submarine, knows that Craig Roberts is a promising young actor who earned himself more than a few favorable comparisons to a young Bud Cort’s work in Harold and Maude. Given all the praise, it looks like he’s now going to get his chance to shine stateside, because The Playlist is reporting that he’s joined Nicholas Stoller’s upcoming comedy, Townies, which is about a young couple played by Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne getting terrorized by the group of frat boys who live next door to them. Of course, seeing as Roberts is joining a crew of rapscallions who include guys like Zac Efron, Dave Franco, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, terrorize might be a strong word. That’s about the wussiest group of frat boys I’ve ever seen in my life. Where are Ted McGinley and Donald Gibb when you need them?
Chloe Moretz
Though Chloe Moretz is also really young, calling her a promising young actor might be a little bit of an understatement at this point. The girl has already had featured roles in a handful of high-profile projects and is about to star in her very own remake of an iconic horror movie in Carrie, so it’s safe to say that she’s a full-fledged movie star now. That’s why it’s reassuring to hear that rather than just focusing on franchise blockbusters, she still seems like she’s going to make an effort to take meatier roles in smaller, artier movies.
Deadline reports that her latest trip to the world of art cinema could come via the Olivier Assayas-directed Sils Maria, as she’s said to be negotiating to join Juliette Binoche and Mia Wasikowska in its cast. Apparently this is a movie about an older actress (Binoche) becoming obsessed with a young actress (Moretz) who’s about to step into the same role that originally made her famous; so basically this is a casting that just seems to be perfect in every way.